Portents of the past or the future

The strong perfume of the balmy brine and seaspray advanced unchallenged against the night air aided along by a strong southern breeze was joined by the relentless din of waves crashing onto the rocky shoreline of Galveston's bay.

The prodigals, grisly trophy in hand, marched back to the Breakwater Sept; heads held high. Considering the potential beneficial and lasting effects of what they had achieved in such a relatively short period with fairly little fuss-a bit of self confidence was well deserved in the Law keeper's mind.

But the victory will be short-lived if their words are found wanting in the Fenrir caern. What happens next would now rest entirely at the sept alpha's feet and this thought left the pack's Apache feeling quite vexed.C'mon Zas, snap out of it. Just accept this is the way things have to work. The litany dictates quite clearly that garou are supposed to submit to those of higher station. What's the problem?

The garou let out a not so subtle grunt We are under no obligation to listen to or follow an arrogant coward who lets information of his own caern fall into the hands of enemies, let alone mages-the Litany quite clearly also says we are supposed to do no action that lets caerns be violated too

A low grumbling sigh escapes the philodox's breath But this is Fenrir territory-gotta respect that too...you know, like the litany says

He clenches his fists IF ITS HIS TERRITORY WHY THE HELL ISN'T HE DEFENDING IT?!? WHY IS HE SENDING US OUT TO DO HIS JOB?!? MAYBE I NEED TO CHALLENGE HIM! HE CLEARLY AIN"T AT WAR HERE BUT SEEMS CONTENT LETTING HIS CAERN SECRETS FALL INTO THE HANDS OF ANYONE WITH A CURIOUS EYE! JUST SITTING AROUND ON HIS...

The Silent Strider coughs once, as he stops walking for a moment. He takes long deep breaths letting the night wind brush across his face as he looks up and sees the starry sky. He may be a stupid, blind, arrogant, cowardly son of a whore, but he is still garou unfortunately; Even the mages could see we are all of Gaia-like the litany says. He simply refuses to respect the fact that he is beneath us in every way except title. I guess that comes from not having a full understanding of the litany. Maybe I should pity him in his ignorance? Could it really be that simple...I mean Rends could not read when we first formed as pack...maybe Robert has never seen the litany. Hmm. No. He has Salts the Wounds, she has at least heard of it...but still, maybe that's why Robert is a terrible Garou. He doesn't know any better.

The Silent Strider looks back to his pack who had continued walking, and quickly moves to rejoin them, his face and posture beginning to loosen up.

However just as his head began to clear, his dream began to play again through his mind. A slight shiver runs down his spine. This was quickly followed by an onslaught of various other fears and concerns that had been plaguing the Philodox.

Snowy Owl turns to look at Rends, who was seemingly contentedly smoking his pipe. "Uh, hey Rends...I know we have a lot going on right now, but do you mind if we talk? I am not feeling super comfortable at the moment. I am just dealing with some stuff...kinda personal."

Subject: Re: Portents of the past or the future Fri 26 May 2017, 11:13

The Silent Strider looks to his packmate for a moment as he says, "There's a few things actually...I may have brought this up before, but it's still something I am thinking about and just can't seem to shake."

He sighs, "I mean maybe now is not the best time to bring this up, but I can't help but feel that maybe it would help if I got it off my chest."

"You have been with Silke for a fairly significant amount of time. You met under interesting circumstances, but the two of you have managed to stick it out, and even had a kid. I know you have been loyal to your mate which is why I bring this up at all."

A long pause, "Ebony has been the only one I spent much time with trying to have a relationship. I know not everyone goes into things feeling the same way, but having family is important to me. And I don't know if having a family with her is gonna work. Namely I don't know if I--"work".

He gives a knowing look to Rends and says, "That said, I don't know if I should move on and try to get another woman or just try and stick things out with Ebony and hope for the best."

The philodox hangs his head, "So there's that."

He then says, "Then there's the dream I had a few nights back in O'Toole's place. At least I hope it was a dream and not a vision of the future."

Zas gives a general gesture towards the direction of the caern, "Then there's this stuff here we gotta try and finalize before also dealing with the Vampires, and the Storm Eater, and well...everything else."

He shakes his head and tosses his hands up in the air, "So, y'know...a few things."

Subject: Re: Portents of the past or the future Fri 26 May 2017, 12:27

Rends chuckled when Zas was finished. At the dark look he got Rends raised a hand in a placating gesture.

"Relax, Zas. I ain't t laughin at you. It's jest when you put it like that it aounds like the end of the world is right around the corner..."

He drifts off, face growing grim before he turns back to Zas, shaking his head.

"Let's start with the one that's obviously buggin' you most. I could feed ya some bullshit about how the pack or the Sept is yet family, but that ain't what you mean. A man needs a wife, and strong sons and daughters. Ebony's a fine girl, but she ain't the only woman you been with. There was that whore I gotcha in Nacitoches too. And it's been a long time since you seen either of 'em."

Rends gives him a meaningful look.

"So fer all you know you already got a family. Or two, Gaia help ya. Ain't no reason to think yet shootin' blanks till you find out if whether or not they'd already a couple little creepy injuns running round."

He chuckles again and slaps his packmate on the back.

"But even if not, you want a wife? Then go get one! Quit moping around and dip her wick at least! Hell, I'll spot ya a few redbacks if ya want! Look on her face last time was worth it!"

Subject: Re: Portents of the past or the future Fri 26 May 2017, 14:19

Zas gives the ahroun a piercing look as he says, "It may be the white man's way to be with only one woman, but it is not at all uncommon for the bravest of indian warriors and chiefs to have many wives and many, many children...horses too."

He gives a pained grunt, "That's the real source of the problem I suppose; I don't know who I am supposed to be Rends. I have given a lot to make peace within our pack as well as between the nation. I have lost the Natahay. I carry the dying torch of the Cherokee, but to the Uktena I am at best merely a rejected cousin and to the Silent Striders-a long lost relative. Everything and everyone I grew up learning from or about is dead or gone. I have nothing save distant memories to tie me to the people of my birth. I have since befriended you, the pack, and made a name for myself in the nation as a whole, as well as become intimately familiar with the ways of the white man and Garou nation. I have even come to realize that not everything you do is wrong as I was led to believe. But despite all of this, I am still seen as someone to be suspicious of; someone to hide the elders from; someone who has no place. I am a stranger in any land, only welcomed because of my association with you and the pack..."

The Silent Strider looks to the Fenrir but gazes out into the water, "I am not a member of the garou nation. I am not a member of the Pure. I am a ship adrift on my own course in uncharted water. I am not a white man. I honestly don't even know if I can consider myself to be indian anymore. I mean how do you even define that? The clothes I wear? The weapons I wield? How I was raised?"

He turns back to face Rends, "It's not moping-I really am just lost. Most garou can rely on ancestors for guidance in cases like mine, but the only Ancestor my entire tribe has hardly recognizes me or my family. Me having one wife or thirty-...it's all a big question that I can't answer, because I don't know who I am...I only know who I am not."

"I would love to just go out and find someone to be my bride, but look at what I offer. Pain. Death. Isolation. Misery. Those are not traits sought by brides...those are things felt and left behind by widows. My words may sound like the end of the world is around the corner, but are they not accurate?" He says beginning to grow noticeably more frustrated.

He spits on the ground, seeming to gesture to Galveston but could also be talking about his state of mind as he curses aloud, "I hate everything about this damn place."

Subject: Re: Portents of the past or the future Fri 26 May 2017, 17:03

Rends takes a couple of long puffs on his pipe before answering.

"After we founded the Burned Rock, you remember I ran off early that morning while everyone was still celebratin'? I went to meet Silke. I'd told her the night before that I'd track her down and help her. In my mind, I didn't know what I was gonna do with her. She'd already promised herself to me but I couldn't hold her to her word. Not without her knowin' what she was gettin' into even after the nightmare she'd lived through. So when I found her I told her everythin'. I told her about the war, the Wyrm, how I'd be gone more often than I was home and families are often targeted by our enemies. I think in the back of my mind I was tryin' to scare her away fer her own good."

Rends smiled, teeth glittering in the moonlight.

"But she didn't run. She chose me and I chose her. It's been hard at times. God, sometimes I jest want to give up. But she's a seaside cliff, and she weathers the storm every time. I never knew it before I met her, but she's what I need."

He takes another slow drag.

"My point is this: you don't know what you'll wind up with until it's already yours. So don't focus on the details; keep yerself open to what's along the path we walk. Maybe you'll find one woman. Maybe you'll find fifty. Maybe you'll get trampled by wild ponies before you get the chance. Any way you cut it, all you can do is make yourself as best you can be and hope you're equal to the challenge when it comes."

He shruggs, scratching at his beard as his eyes go skyward.

"As fer the Pure, you really think they're gonna still have a place in this world forever? Their way's goin' out, and the frontier shrinks every day. Soon enough, by conquest or by treaty they'll join the Nation or die out by their own foolishness. But the Nation's gotta make changes too. If we let things keep goin' as they have been we'll jest be in this same situation sooner or later. Maybe you ain't supposed to be White or Red, maybe you's meant to find the path between. You can't define yourself by what others expect of you. If I did that I'd be Robert's biggest supporter. But the Snowy Owl I know don't take much stock in meetin' other's standards. He makes his own way, and drags the rest behind him kickin' and screamin' till they can walk it themselves."

Subject: Re: Portents of the past or the future Sat 27 May 2017, 19:20

The two men continue on their path as Rends shares the events leading to his wife and his current status.

Zas grows quiet as he considers the words. "Look Sylvester, I appreciate the advice--really I do. But, unless there is some cure-all tonic or mystical love potion that will let some woman overlook everything wrong with me; which I still wouldn't use because it wouldn't be real... I think I honestly just need to face the truth. I am destined to walk alone til my dying days."

He sighs as Rends continues and poses his initial question. Zas is about to respond, but instead closes his mouth and considers for a moment before saying,"A long time ago, there was a brave of the north who was known far and wide for his love of traveling to new lands and places, climbing impossible mountains, and diving to the deepest seas. You would have probably gotten along with him pretty well. He was courageous and strong and could not be bested in a fight, but he was very sad. He never found anything too big or mighty for him to conquer. The sea was not deep enough. The lands were not far enough away. But, there was a mountain that some people said could not be climbed for none could see the top of its peak from the ground and there was no way to scale its sides. The warrior sought out this mountain. He walked for a long time all the way around the bottom trying to see a way up this mountain. It was as the people had said. There was no way to climb this mountain."

Zas took a breath, "But at last he found a big crack in a rock that went down, not up. Down he went into this pit and soon found another hole that turned upward. He took this as a good omen. He climbed up a long way. Soon it became so dark that he could not see, and the cave was full of loose rocks that slipped under his feet and rolled down. Then he heard a big, fearsome noise coming up through the shaft at the same time the rolling rocks were dashed to pieces at the bottom. In the darkness he slipped often and skinned his knees.

His courage and determination began to fail. He had never before seen a place this dark and dangerous. He was afraid and he was also very tired. He decided he would try coming back again with a light to help him see, but when he turned to go down, he found that the rolling rocks had closed the cave below him. He could not get down. He saw only one thing now that he could do. He must go on climbing until he came out somewhere. After a long climb, he saw a little light, and he knew that he was coming out of the hole. "Now I am happy," he said aloud.

Looking around him, he became almost breathless, for he found that he was on the top of the highest peak! There was scarcely room for him to turn around, and looking down from this height made him dizzy. He saw great cliffs below him, in every direction, and saw only a small place in which he could move. Nowhere on the outside could he get down, and the cave was closed on the inside. "Here I must stay until I die," he said. "But I have climbed my mountain! I have climbed my mountain at last!"

He stayed on this mountain for many nights but did not complain. As Luna passed over him each night she grew more and more in awe of the warriors dedication, but she saw his body withering away to nothing. "I will not let my brave die. I will turn him into a star, and he can stand there and shine where everyone can see him. He shall be a guide mark for all the living things on the earth or in the sky."

And so the warrior became a star that every living thing can see. It is the only star that will always be found at the same place. Forever he stands still. Directions are set by him. Travelers, looking up at him, can always find their way. And because he is of the north, many Garou have come to know him as Vegarda-the resilient northern warrior star."

Zas upon finishing the tale, looks to Rends and says, "The Pure will always have a place. The lands they hold may shrivel away to nothing, their people may fall like the autumn leaves, and their voices may no longer be carried upon the wind...but they will always have a place, for as long as this star shines, they have one of their own lighting the way."

The philodox smiles at Rends for a moment as he says, "I am a philodox. My path is complicated...that I can agree. You are probably right about me treading that thin line between cultures. But, I am curious, if my dragging others kicking and screaming along will need to apply to Robert and this Mage issue. Do you see him putting up much resistance to it?"

Subject: Re: Portents of the past or the future Sun 28 May 2017, 21:44

Rends listens to the story quietly, brow furrowed. He gives a couple of non-commental huffs, but otherwise lets the Strider finish his tale uninterrupted. At the end he quietly restuffs and relights his pipe while replying.

"Not sure what I think of that story. Seems this Brave only got to become a star is cuz he was too stupid to have a plan B for when he wet his britches. But that ain't the point either of us is makin'. Sure, they'll always be here, in songs and stories and long dead Caerns if nothin' else. But their role is changin', and so is the Nation's. And I don't think either realize that yet. Not really. They won't be able to keep things as they is forever no matter how much they want to. They each have their ideas fer what their role is and how to make good on it, but the old ways are bein' tested right now. The time is comin' soon when each Tribe and each Garou will have to ask theyselves what they want from the future. And after that, we're gonna have to find out if we want it bad enough to make it happen no matter how hard the world tries to stop it."

He turns and looks Zas in the eye, unblinking.

"So I say it again: you know what you want. It ain't on you to decide what anybody else wants. I want you to promise me that you're gonna do your damndest to make sure that on the slim chance you meet some woman who's stupid or desperate enough to fall fer you that you'll be ready to catch her and do right by her. And if that day never comes and you do end up alone, well, at least it won't be fer any failing on your part. I can't expect any more from ya, but I expect no less neither."

He holds the gaze for a moment, letting a friendly glint show to soften the words. Then he puffs the pipe to life again letting the red embers reflect in his eyes.

"As fer Robert? I dunnow what to do about him. We wrapped this all up better'n I expected and in such a way that he can even take credit fer settin' up this alliance if it ever comes about. But that ain't what he wanted. Like usual, I think we's mostly gonna have to play this one by ear."

Subject: Re: Portents of the past or the future Mon 29 May 2017, 00:46

The indian man nods in agreement with his walking partner. "The days ahead will certainly come down to where we each decide to take a stand. Holding our ground will mean more than ever."

As his compatriot demands a vow, Zas gives a long pause as he considers the terms. "If the 'one' comes along, I can guarantee you that you will see in me a fight that you have only seen once-when we had to rescue Ebony from those banes. I made a similar promise to the Fianna, but the same will apply to my woman; There's no place I won't go to defend and nothing that can stop me from holding onto what's mine. Even the Comanche know there's nothing more frightening than an Apache protecting his kin...save maybe a Silent Strider with a score to settle." He gives toothy grin.

"That bein the case with Robert, I had something else I wanted to mention. I don't know that it is likely to change much of anything really but just so there's not anything unexpected on our end I felt I should mention it...before we meet with Robert."

The philodox clears his throat, but lowers his voice. "Back when I was in O'toole's I caught a few winks of sleep. I had a rather dark dream, that I am pretty sure is just a dream...but like I said, I want to be on the safe side. In my dream I saw a parade of bloated, slouching shapes that scraped and scratched against a pane of cloudy glass. Weird I know, but then there was a spatter of phlegm and blood that exploded across the window I was seeing this through. I think I could also hear whispers and moans that kept getting closer and closer as time went on."

Zas placed a good firm grip on his tomahawk as he shared the dream, but turned to face Rends and asked, "I know me sticking around any place for very long, tends to make me get ansty and sometimes I see stuff that's not really there...but this was just strange. I know there is more than one ghost here who is not happy with me, but I don't know. I am thinking this was just a dream. I am certainly hoping it was no prediction of the future. I don't have Eaton's ability to see things like that, and I mean I trust O'toole wasn't up to nothing. It is just...weird. What do you make of it?

Subject: Re: Portents of the past or the future Tue 30 May 2017, 19:16

Rends nods, accepting the Strider's words. After hearing the dream he shrugs his broad shoulders, unconcerned.

"I don't make much of it. Seems to me if it means anything it means death and war are on their way, but that's always the case. I reckon yer nerves is jest frayed from bein' here too long. Luna knows I'll be glad to put this town to my back and head home fer a time before our errand out West."

His gaze turns North and East, searching out the way back home with longing.

"Won't hurt to keep our eyes open though. I do have somethin' else I wanted to bring up, while we's in a sharin' mood. I ain't brought it up with the others yet, mostly cuz we already got a lot on our plate and I don't even know if this is possible."

Subject: Re: Portents of the past or the future Wed 31 May 2017, 00:53

The Silent Strider had followed the Get's line of sight as if expecting some horrible new wyrm beast to suddenly materialize from mid air.

For just the slightest of moments it seemed as if something wanted to do just that to Snowy Owl. The air shimmered and seemed to ripple in place and the native born garou even heard what he thought to be the distant mumbling and hatefilled sounds of intoxicated men and beasts who uttered curses and profanities in each breath.

And then he blinked and in an instant his eyes and ears saw and heard nothing but the last phrase of his ahroun.

"Um...I-I'm sorry, what? Moon bridges? I could see how those might come in handy, but--how do you plan on that?"

Subject: Re: Portents of the past or the future Wed 31 May 2017, 18:19

Rends shook his head, smirking.

"I have no idea. But I think bringing Bat back into the fold will be a good start. Supposedly they got took away cuz the spirits got mad at us in the New World for somethin', right? I figure maybe that's part of it. If we could keep one of the Changing Breeds from going the way of the Minotaur that'd be worth somethin'. What do you think?"

Rubbing his chin in response, "I have heard that that is a theory for why the moon-bridges cannot be made; some ill deed done against the fera by the nation which was rewarded by Luna's disdain...but there are other theories out there. One being that the lands of the pure are simply cursed. Another suggest that the pure one's blood which has been shed by the wyrmcomers has stained the umbral reaches. Still yet another suggest that the Croatan's sacrifice so deeply pained turtle who forms the foundation of these lands, that in his pain he pulled all the passages into his great shell."

"There are likely countless more, but the point is, no one likely has all the facts save the spirits, and barring some long blessed spirit or vision quest, I do not think we will fully find the answers." He says with a huff.

Zas looks down at his feet as he says, "If we could prevent the death of others, that would be a pretty good trick, as normally most everyone we meet rightfully believes us to be little more than bloody minded war-beasts. But, even if we fail in our attempt at salvation though, are we not still embodying what it means to truly be garou of honor? Doing the right thing is seldom easy."

"I find myself asking though, why you feel like this is Your destiny. I mean, do you feel changing the hearts, minds, and focus of your tribal kin not to be enough of a worthy or ambitious endeavor... or have you perhaps given up on this course of action and now search for a different dream? Or has Robert somehow guided you to seeing things more his way?" The Silent Strider peeks back up at the Fenrir curiously.

Zas gives a short pause before angling his head at Rends. "Do you think that maybe the reason you initially disliked Robert so much was because he shared too many traits with your father? Both seem to have one track minds..."

"I aint givin' up on anything. But I come to realize that what I was doin wasn't helping anybody, and was putting the Get in a weaker position. The little slights and half rebellion against Robert was self indulgence. I realized I had to make a decision: either embrace his leadership or overthrow him. I'm not a man who can do a thing halfway."

He paused, pain flashing in his eyes.

"And I realized that like it or not, whether it was well done or not, he's the Eldest we have; that the Mother gave us. I have to give him the chance to be the leader we need or I not only reject his authority, but the Mothers and that of Great Fenris. I don't have a valid reason to overthrow him. Not right now. So this is me givin' him a shot, and keeping a close eye on him at the same time."

He holds Zas eye for a moment, smoke obscuring all but his shining eyes and teeth.

"As for the bridges? Call it a side project. A man's gotta have hobbies, after all. Might as well make it one with practical uses. But wouldn't it be nice to be able to call down the full wrath of Gaia on the Storm Eater when the time comes? Not jest the Republic Garou, but all of them. Hundreds of Gaias greatest in a howling horde falling on the son of a bitch unified in war like we so rarely see? I'd pay good money to see that, wouldn't you?"

His brow furrowed, the Philodox met the Ahroun's gaze. "Self-indulgence-- That's what you consider your actions? Maybe I was mistaken in my understanding of who and what Fenris stands for because I cannot for a moment honestly believe that Fenris supports cowardice or weakness. Robert killing Roaring Jack put the Fenrir in a weaker position...and why did Robert do this...for his own benefit; that is Self-indulgence."

"I can accept you are simply biding your time to bring him down. That I understand. But if you truly believe that he is the leader we need..." The Apache's words fade as his expression sours, but he says nothing else and avoids Rends gaze. It is plainly evident he is intentionally holding his tongue but is struggling.

He draws in a long deep breath, before giving a vain attempt to shift his focus to the questions posed to him. "...Yes. A strong unified Garou front attacking and destroying a foe as mighty as Akna's spawn would certainly be one story worthy of many campfire tales."

There is an awkward lull in the conversation before Zas, still not looking at Rends says in a begrudged tone, "I am glad you reached a decision on how to handle your issue with the eldest. I will ask that Gaia and Fenrir continue to guide your path and your tribe in the days ahead."

He grits his teeth but turns to face Rends and says in a calm but measured tone, "--but just so you are aware, I disagree with your conclusion that he is the right leader for the tribe and think anything resembling trust you may have in him is misplaced. I want you to have a firm idea of my stance on him when our paths inevitably cross his. Fair enough?"

Rends barks out a laugh, blowing out the bowl of his pipe and shaking his head.

"Hold on. I didn't make myself clear."

He chuckles for a bit, putting the pipe away.

"Let me set this straight. I don't like Robert. I don't trust him one bit, and I don't think he's the leader anyone needs."

He meets Zas eye again, holding the gaze.

"While he didn't do nothing 'officially' wrong, as far as the bullshit rules go, he killed Roaring Jack in about the worst way possible fer no good reason and if I could I'd kill him jest fer that. As he is and as he's been he's dangerous and he's gonna lead the Get to Doom sooner or later."

He paused, letting the words sink in before going on.

"The Get deserve better. Jack deserved better. So how do I make sure they get it? By making myself an outcast and lettin' him control everything, only able to react after the fact myself? No. That's no good. I got no leverage from the outside and he'd jest consolidate his power, leaving me out if the loop. I need to be close to him."

He leans in close, fire burning in his eyes as his voice drops to a bear whisper.

"So instead I make peace. Let everyone know I'm coming onboard and working with him. Let them see what I can accomplish, even working with him. Let him think he has me cowed. He ain't got so many under him that he can turn me away, and I got too much renounce fer him to silence me while I'm at his side."

He paused again, voice dropping lower.

"So now, Instead of being an outcast I'm right by his side, watching. Keeping him honest. Now if he does anything g to start a war with the Tonkawa I'll know and have a grievance since they's under Get protection by my hand. If he starts a war with the Mages, he's now a warmonger and fool and unfit to lead. If he does turn around and lead the Get right, I'll keep following. But if he don't, and he does something that needlessly endangers the Tribe or violates the Littany..."

Rends shrugs.

"Well then it's my duty to do somethin'. But I won't do anything until I know beyond a doubt that ive got him dead to rights. They's too much division in the Nation already, and changing leadership at a time like this can cripple even the strong. What's more, I won't take power same way he did. I've gotta prove to the Get that I'm better than him if I'm gonna remove him"

He gives Zas a Frank look.

"So no, I'm still not a fan. But I'm... Giving him a fair shot to sink or swim. But I ain't doing all this to pull some last minute gotcha. I want him to come around; I don't want to lead the Get. He won't listen, so Im hoping if we show him a better way he'll come around on his own."

He turns away, facing Luna.

"I don't know that I'd be any better than him, honestly. I have to fight every minute to try and keep my Rage in check. If I fail now it could hurt y'all and that's bad enough. If I fail while leading my Tribe? That could be disaster. I don't want that."

At Rends' explanation and justification, the cloud that seems to frequent the Philodox's disposition vanished instantly and the sour expression he wore moments before is replaced by a fierce grin.

"I hate politics. I don't care for long term plans, but I think this one time I can make an exception."

He nods, "Letting your opponent hold the reigns while you provide the path...that works nicely."

As Rends mentions his latter comment, Snowy Owl tilts his head, "Comparing yourself to Robert or even your father does not set your leadership standards very high. Even aiming to be as good as or better than Roaring Jack is still not pushing yourself. The person who you really need to compare yourself to is yourself-be better than you are.

Robert came to leadership because he didn't want to do what Jack wants. Jack came to power because he didn't want to do what Savior-in-War wanted. If you know what you don't want, that's great, but to outshine everyone else, you must also know what you want. You know you don't want to be Robert, and you don't want to fail-those are good goals. But what is it that you do want?"

"What do I want? I want all of us to face whatever is coming head on and beat it. I want to come through to the other side of Mal's apocalypse stronger than we are now, and to have a world we can hand to our kids with pride. I want the Get to be a source of real strength fer the Nation."

He shakes his head.

"I jest don't know if any of this is gonna do any good. We may all end up dead anyways. But if we do, I at least want a death that will be remembered fer the right reasons."

Nodding in reply, "Good; now you just need to simplify and condense all that into a single thought and you can go places. It's fine to enjoy a journey, but without a heading you will become aimless."

He considers for a moment further before adding, "I know how you feel about Mal, but what do you think of his plan to create a weapons bunker for a last stand? Now that we know what the Storm Eater is bringing, has it changed your mind; you think he's right that its gonna come down to that?--Would you do that if you were in his place?"

Zas gazes up at the night sky, "We were made for combat. Choosing our battlegrounds is important for a chance at victory. The uktena are willing to sacrifice their kinfolk to save their caern, but by defending their umbral home they let the enemy move on their earthly space. Mal bolstering his defenses in our homeland would seem similar. But is it fighting defensively or abandoning earth?"

Zas looks back to Rends, "I use to think Mal was crazy. I can see the benefits to his point now, but I am also noticing the costs of his actions."